In the Middle of It

Where Tapestry's Acia Gray Likes to Be ó and Is

"...in the studio with her to share the burden. Deirdre Strand is presently on leave from her duties as..."

Feb. 20, 1998 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Articulations

Changes in artistic direction for two local companies.

"...it brings with it a whiff of déjà vu. Deirdre Strand, the choreographer who co-founded Tapestry Dance Company with..."

Feb. 18, 2000 Arts Column by Robert Faires

Finding a New Rhythm

After a health crisis, Tapestry's Acia Gray slows things down

"...on her fourth day that her partner, Tapestry co-founder Deirdre Strand – who had pleaded with Gray not to..."

Feb. 27, 2004 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

'XXV – Anticipation of Next'

A decade after joining Tapestry, Matthew Shields choreographs the kickoff to its 25th season

"...the first person besides Tapestry founders Acia Gray and Deirdre Strand to create an entire stage production for the..."

Nov. 1, 2013 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Tapestry Dance Company

Acia Gray takes medical leave, but the shows go on

"...This time, though, Gray, partner Deirdre Strand – with whom she co-founded Tapestry – and..."

Nov. 23, 2012 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Voices of Rhythm

Spoken word added spark, but dance still spoke the loudest in Tapestry's show

"...many rich moments. Siobhan Cook, daughter of Tapestry co-founder Deirdre Strand, gained professional status this year after performing as..."

Nov. 5, 2010 Arts Review by Jonelle Seitz

Free Dance!

Complimentary classes at Ballet Austin and Tapestry, plus a free monthly tap show

"...to ballet, taught by Tapestry co-founder and master teacher Deirdre Strand. Third Saturdays are modern dance, and fourth Saturdays..."

Sept. 10, 2010 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Tap That Nut

In Tapestry's Of Mice & Magic, dance is more than the medium; it's the message

"..."Deirdre and I have wanted to do this forever. Forever,"..."

Dec. 11, 2009 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

My Funny Valentine

My Funny Valentine, Tapestry Dance Company's love-struck evening of dance, provided both seduction that appeared effortless and that was the picture of hard work, and it all thrilled.

"...the audience responds in kind. With choreography by co-founder Deirdre Strand, Artistic Director Acia Gray, Caroline Sutton-Clarke, and guest..."

Feb. 21, 2003 Arts Review by Sarah Hepola

A Christmas Carol

The Austin Playhouse-McCallum Fine Arts Academy co-production of Dickens' seasonal fable A Christmas Carol may be wafer-thin in substance, but the abundant goodwill of the entire company, from youngest to least-young, gives the show the warm, sweetness of a traditional holiday brew.

"...a few sidesteps for Robertson's original songs or choreographer Deirdre Strand's variety of dances meant to charm or invigorate...."

Dec. 13, 2002 Arts Review by Robi Polgar

Acia Gray

Local rhythm tap legend to be honored with a major national award

"...got off the phone with Tony, I turned to Deirdre [Strand, Gray's partner] and said, 'The only thing that..."

July 2, 2010 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

The Distance Danced

Between its old and new versions of 'Swingin' Then & Now,' Tapestry Dance Company has swung a long way, baby

"...flying solo as artistic director, her co-founder and partner Deirdre Strand having surrendered her co-artistic directorship for a position..."

April 21, 2006 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Art or Parenting?

Four professional artists discuss how having kids has affected their careers and ways of working

Oct. 30, 2015 Arts Feature by Elizabeth Cobbe

Three More Views

"...Deirdre Strand • Choreographer, co-founder and director of education of..."

Oct. 30, 2015 Arts Feature

Soul / Sole Connections

This Tapestry concert saw each dancer create a deeply personal solo from the past, then riff on it in the present

"...and longtime company member (her mother is Tapestry co-founder Deirdre Strand), performed a hip-hop inspired solo to the deep..."

Nov. 7, 2014 Arts Review by Jonelle Seitz

Tapestry Dance Company:Getting those tap shoes re-'Soul'ed

The troupe's thrilling Souls of Our Feet program is back, with more reconstructions of classic rhythm tap routines

"...become a close friend to Gray and Tapestry co-founder Deirdre Strand. The two met in person at the funeral..."

March 7, 2008 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

What's Past Is Prologue

Recreating classic tap routines from the screen and stage opens an exciting new future for Tapestry Dance Company

"...Acia Gray to know. The co-founder of Tapestry with Deirdre Strand and its guiding light has been dancing professionally..."

March 9, 2007 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

A Shared Love of Dance

My Funny Valentine is Tapestry Dance Company's second show following the addition of five new dancers, and their stories are as varied as the dance styles the multiform company employs.

"...later. Fourteen years after she founded the company with Deirdre Strand, Gray watched as all but one of her..."

Feb. 14, 2003 Arts Feature by Sarah Hepola

She Got Rhythm

In the world of rhythm tap, female dancers are a minority, and women who are masters of the form, as Acia Gray is, are merely a fraction of the whole. But with the debut of the Soul to Sole Festival, Gray hopes to give women who tap their due.

"...courses (Tapestry, the multiform dance company that she and Deirdre Strand founded in 1989), Gray is founding a new..."

May 18, 2001 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Real Estate and Perfect Mates

The year 2000 in the Austin arts, with Top 10 lists by Chronicle Arts critics and their picks for stories and personalities of the year.

"...director for Salvage Vanguard Theater; and the departure of Deirdre Strand from her position as co-artistic director of Tapestry..."

Jan. 5, 2001 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

The Best of Tapestry, Too: Persistent Joy

Local Arts Reviews

"...step dance. The sweeping romantic leaps and turns of Deirdre Strand's balletic choreography -- the dancers drifting on and..."

Feb. 25, 2000 Arts Review by Robert Faires

Exhibitionism

O.t.: Court and Spark

"...The choreographers -- Deirdre Strand, Acia Gray, and Nicholas Young -- presented the..."

Oct. 23, 1998 Arts Review

Exhibitionism

One Night Only!: in Uncharted Waters with an Über-diva

"...supports the leads well, ably executing Acia Gray and Deirdre Strand's simple, sometimes raucous choreography...."

July 31, 1998 Arts Review

Exhibitionism

Little Shop of Horrors: All The Fine Young Cannibal Plants

"...her first full-length program. (Gray's longtime partner inTapestry, co-founder Deirdre Strand, is on leave from her post as co-artistic..."

March 13, 1998 Arts Review

Postmarks

We Get What We Want

"...make it to black and white. My wonderful co-founder Deirdre Strand is alive and well as the Academy Director..."

Feb. 27, 1998 Column

Articulations

In Memoriam

"...of Tapestry's eight dancers and co-directors Acia Gray and Deirdre Strand, as well as the creation of new works..."

Jan. 31, 1997 Arts Column

Articulations

RIP Troupe Texas

"...them four years, but they got him, they being Deirdre Strand and Acia Gray of Tapestry Dance Company, him..."

Nov. 3, 1995 Arts Column